Negative holder for retouching purposes



June 8 1926. 1,587,599

K. s. MELlKlAN NEGATIVE HOLDER FOR RETOUCHING PURPOSES Filed August 11 1925 I .zfwme Ja'ia'zz:

Patented June 8, 1926.

KAZAR S. MELIKIAN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

NEGATIVE HOLDER FOR RETOUCHING PUBPOSES.

Application filed August 11, 1925. Serial Io. 49.573.

This invention relates to a device for bolding negatives against a flat transparent surface while they are being re-touched and for other purposes.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient means for holding the negative which can be shifted readily and without trouble to hold it at any angle and at any desired point so that the negative can be turned and placed wherever desired for convenience in retouching. The invention also involves the provision of a pair of flat arms which will engage comparatively large surfaces of the negative so as to hold it back against the transparent plate and insure that two wide surfaces at a distance apart are pressed upon by these arms so that the negative will lie back flat against its supporting surface. Also certain adjustments are provided to make the device universal in its application.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a face view of a re-touching frame-with a preferred embodiment of this invention shown thereon in operative position;

Fig. 2 full size;

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a, bottom plan view of a portion thereof, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 in Fig. 2.

Heretofore it has been customary to hold a photographic negative N on the glass plate G of a re-touching frame F by the pressing of the finger and thumb against it. It can be held in that way while re-touching with the right hand. However, this requires that the left hand be held very stiffly in place and there is danger of the negative slipping and the re-touching being rendered defective for that reason. It is, of course, desirable that the negative should be pressed flat against the glass at all times and that it should be possible to hold it in all kinds of positions and at all angles.

For these purposes I have devised a holder which is pivotally secured to the frame by a thumb screw 10 or other fastening device. This thumb screw passes through a perforation in the fiat end of a steel spring arm 11 which is provided with a slight ogee bend 12-.

is a plan of the clamp practically Thus the outer end of the arm which is fiat will be pressed down toward the glass G by the fastening of the thumb screw 10 at a slight distance from the opposite flat end of the arm. It is this double curvature near one end combined with the resiliency of the arm and the holding down of the arm by a shoulder on the thumb screw that is effective for enerting the necessary pressure on the negative.

Telescopingly connected with the arm 11 IS a plate 14 preferably formed of sheet metal bent over at the edges to provide guides for the arm 11 and having a longitudinal slot 15 for an adjusting fastening screw and nut- 16 secured to the outer end of the arm 11 and adjustable along the slot. The parts 11 and 14: constitute a longitudinally adjustable arm. At the end this plate 14 has an integral handle 17 for manipulat mg it. The plate 14 is also provided with a pair of cars 18 through which extend pivot studs 19 on which are pivoted a pair of negative holding arms 20. These arms are provided with engaging teeth 21 each set' arranged around its corresponding pivot as a center so that when one arm is turned on its pivot the other will bealso. These arms 20 are fiat on their lower surfaces and ar-- ranged practically in the plane of the bottom of the pivoted end of the arm 11 when that is held down by the screw 10. This is for the purpose of providing long flat surfaces on the end of each arm for engaging flat on the negative as shown in Fig. 1. These arms are provided with a rubber tubing 20 on the end to provide a soft surface for this purpose and one of them has an operating handle 22 by which, of course, both of them are manipulated.

In the use of the device, the adjustment at 16 is arranged where it is desired to have it in view of the position in which the negative is to be placed and the arm 11 is turned about its pivot by the handle 17 to any de sired position. Then the arms 20 are turned by the handle 22 to bring them far enough apart to expose the surface of the negative which it is desired to retouch. If it is desired to change the position of the negative, the operator can merely lift up on the handle 17 and slide the negative around wherever desired and then manipulate the arms 20 to the desired position. These arms are held down firmly on the negative b the shoulder of the screw 10 and the resi iency of the arm 11 and there is no danger of the negative getting loose or slipping away from the position in which it is placed. This constitutes a very convenient and inexpensive holder for this purpose.

I am aware of the fact that this device can be used for other purposes than that described and that although I have shown and described only a single form of the invention, modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited in these respects but what I claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a holder for a flat article comprising an arm pivoted at one end and having a double ogee curve near that end, with a flat surface beyond the pivot, means for holding the arm down at the fiat part, and means carried at the free end of said arm for engaging a flat article and holding it and pivoted to the arm on an axis parallel with the pivot on which the arm is mounted.

2. As an article of manufacture, a holder for the purpose described comprising a spring arm pivoted at one end, means for holding the arm down at that end and bringing pressure upon it, and a pair of arms carried at the free end for engaging the article to beheld, said pair of arms being movable simultaneously outwardly or inwardly.

3. In a negative holder for re-touching purposes, the combination of a pivoted arm having means at its pivot end for holding it down flat in adjusted positions, said arm being adjustable longitudinally, and a pair ofnegative holding arms pivotally mounted on the arm and having means whereby when either one is turned the other will be turned on its own pivot in the same degree and in the opposite direction.

4. In a negative holder, the combination of a pivoted spring arm having means at its pivot end for holding it down in adjusted positions, a plate adjustable on said arm,

and a pair of negative holding arms pivotally mounted on the plate on pivots parallel with the pivot of the arm and having means whereby when either one is turned the other will be turned on its own pivot in the same degree and in the opposite direction.

5. In a negative holder for retouching purposes, the combination of a telescoping pivoted spring arm adapted to be lifted from the negative which it is to hold, a pair of arms having flat lower surfaces in a plane parallel with the bottom of the opposite end of the arm mounted on the free end of said arm, and intermeshing teeth on the ends of said arms for causing simultaneous movements thereof.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a spring arm having a double curve at the end and pivoted at that end and having means for holding it down on a flat surface, of a plate having integral iii-turned side flanges surrounding the edges of the free end of said arm, whereby it is longitudinally adjustable thereon, a pair of engaging holding arms pivoted on the plate and having fiat lower surfaces in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the lower side of the spring arm when in position, and having soft lower surfaces for engaging the surface of a negative throughout a wide area.

7 In a negative holder for re-touching purposes, the combination of a telescoping pivoted arm having a handle at the end for use in turning it about its pivot and lifting it from the negative'which it is to hold, a pair of arms having flat lower surfaces in a plane parallel with the bottom of the opposite end of the arm mounted on the free end of said arm near said handle, intermeshing teeth on the ends of said arm for causing simultaneous movement thereof, and a handle on one arm for manipulating both of them.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. I

KAZAR S. MELIKIAN. 

